Entalpy of Mixing, Microstructure, Structural, Thermomagnetic and Mechanical Properties of Binary Gd-Pb Alloys.

The aim of the present work is to study the phase composition, microstructure and magnetocaloric effect of binary Gd 100-x Pb x (where x = 5, 10, 15 and 20) alloys. The XRD and SEM/EDX analysis confirmed a biphasic structure built by Gd(Pb) and Gd 5 Pb 3 phases. The analysis of M vs. T curves showed the evolution of the Curie point of recognized phases. The temperature dependences of magnetic entropy change revealed two maxima corresponding to the recognized phases. The analysis of the exponent n (Δ S M max = C(B max ) n ) confirmed the multiphase composition of the produced alloys. The same behavior was also observed in investigations of mechanical properties.